It’s Giving Tuesday – Connect To Your Passion
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN to Michael Seeley make the case for nonprofits and charitable giving on Putting Your Health First.
Enjoy a multiplier effect when you participate in Giving Tuesday, Health First Foundation President Michael Seeley says. Visit HF.org/give to donate or learn more.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday. Last year, the Day of Observation generated more than $3 billion in charitable contributions from roughly 35 million Americans.
In the latest Putting Your Health First podcast, Health First Foundation President Michael Seeley has a handful of punchy tips meant to keep things simple.
Connect to Your Passion
“I have a bias, clearly,” Seeley says, for giving to Health First with its large footprint, vast net of care and wellness services, and avenues for meaningful giving – but “there are many deserving charities.”
“Find an organization that piques your interest or connects to a cause that you’re passionate about.”
Go Big or Start Small
People may wonder: – am I giving enough? Does my small gift matter.
New gifts big or small connect people to our organizations and together add up to critical support. At Health First, there’s a Compassionate Care Fund that directly supports patient care, and Seeley tells the story of a cancer patient who was missing appointments because she simply didn’t have transportation to the facility.
“For $80 or so, we were able to get her rides to complete her radiation oncology treatments. That $80 came in the form of a gift to the Compassionate Care Fund from someone in the community, and it saved her life. That’s what gifts can do.”
Directly Improves Care
As a not-for-profit health system, Health First has no shareholders but instead continually reinvests in technology, capacity for care, and new services that serve Brevard County.
“Because we’re locally owned, locally controlled, we’re laser focused on serving the community that we live in.”
Each spring, the Golf Classic fundraiser at the Suntree Country Club raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for Health First’s Aging Services – 100% of the proceeds goes toward the Memory Disorders Clinic, the Center for Family Caregivers, and other programs. Clinical care, support groups, classes, creative workshops and other services are available to members of our community regardless of their medical, social, economic or financial situation.
Seeley said that he frequently looks up at the sky and spots the “H”-monogrammed Health First First Flight helicopter, the area’s only air ambulance service. For trauma patients, every second counts, and First Flight speeds the most vulnerable patients into the capable hands of a surgical team member at Health First’s Holmes Regional Medical Center.
Health First First Flight grew out of community support.
The Multiplier Effect
There are many worthwhile charities in Brevard County that greatly add to the character and appeal of our community, which frequently garners national attention.
“Do your research. Ask questions of the organization. And if you’re unsure where to focus your time and resources, consider talking to an umbrella organization like the Community Foundation for Brevard,” Seeley said.
“The not-for-profit sector serves our community very, very well,” Seeley said, and a gift to one often serves to benefit others.
To consider making a gift to the Health First Foundation, or to learn more, visit hf.org/give.
Health First Gives Back – Community Benefit
This year, Health First made more than $400,000 in Wellness Grant awards to 15 local nonprofits, such as a shelter for women and children, neighborhood education centers for youth, and health screening organizations.
“We have a conscious and deliberate commitment to serve the healthcare needs of the community,” Seeley said.
Similarly, Health First is once again participating in holiday shopping events this Christmas season that will benefit South Brevard Sharing Center and Brevard Family Partnership children. Last year, about 140 children were shopped for.
“With the help of the community giving back to the not-for-profit sector, we can really continue to make Brevard County the very best place to live.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN to Michael Seeley make the case for nonprofits and charitable giving on Putting Your Health First.
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